Japanese
Japanese

Voices of International Students

Yi-Fu-1.jpg

YI-FU LIU

Degree Programs in Pure and Applied Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology

From China

YI-FU LIU)
Escaping the summer heat

What sparked your interest in this university?

I first learned about the University of Tsukuba through Bilibili, a Chinese video-sharing platform. I was impressed by the university's lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere. Compared with the busy and vibrant environment of Tokyo, I felt that Tsukuba would be an ideal place to concentrate on research. I was also attracted by Tsukuba's unique research environment, with institutions such as JAXA, NIMS, AIST, and KEK located nearby. The concentration of research institutions creates opportunities to interact with researchers from different fields. For these reasons, I decided to apply to the University of Tsukuba.

What aspects of Japanese culture or customs surprised you? How did you adapt to these differences?

When I first came to Japan, I was surprised by the limited number of public trash bins on the streets, which made it difficult to dispose of waste while traveling. I was also impressed by Japan's strict waste-sorting system. For example, a plastic bottle can be separated into three parts: the cap, the bottle, and the label. This level of sorting was difficult for me to imagine before coming to Japan. As I have spent more time here, I have gradually developed the habit of carrying a small trash bag with me and carefully sorting my waste. This experience has made me more conscious of environmental responsibility and taught me to incorporate sustainable practices into my daily life.

What do you enjoy about Tsukuba?

What I enjoy most about the University of Tsukuba is the peaceful beauty of its natural surroundings. This tranquility helps me feel calm and refreshed while conducting experiments in the laboratory. Each season offers a different view. In spring and summer, whenever I feel tired or face a challenge in my research, I often get a coffee from Starbucks in the library and sit by the lake to enjoy the scenery and calm my emotions. In autumn and winter, I like taking a walk through the university's Botanical Garden, listening to the gentle crunch of fallen leaves under my feet. These quiet moments help me relax, regain my energy, and return to my research with greater motivation and a fresh perspective.

YI-FU LIU
Taking a short break from working with chloroform
YI-FU LIU
Professor Takashi Nakamura and me


YI-FU LIU
What a memorable reunion!!

What do you hope to achieve during your time here?

During my doctoral studies, I hope to participate in a wide range of academic conferences and international exchanges, where I can learn about cutting-edge research across different fields. I also want to gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives that will support both my future career in industry and my research. At the same time, I hope to publish several papers and successfully complete my PhD. More importantly, I want to make the most of these three years at the University of Tsukuba. When I look back on this period in the future, I hope I can feel that I made the most of every opportunity, challenged myself, and have no regrets about my doctoral life.

What do you think makes the University of Tsukuba special?

I believe there are many things that make the University of Tsukuba special, but for me, the most important are the people I have met here. I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people, including my supervisor, Dr. Takashi Nakamura, who is knowledgeable, patient, and always supportive. I am truly grateful for his guidance. I am also thankful for the seniors, peers, and juniors in my laboratory. Meeting and working with them has been a meaningful experience that I deeply cherish. Beyond research, traveling and hanging out with my friends from the laboratory have added many memorable moments to my university life. These connections have made my time at Tsukuba richer and more meaningful.